Barbara M.S. Clarke

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die ... a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4-5

The beginning chapter in the "Book of Life" for Mrs. Barbara Marie Surley Clarke began to unfold on March 24, 1941, in Chesterfield County, Va., as she was a gift from God born to the late Rosa Lee Vaughan and Benjamin Henry Surley. The concluding chapter was revealed through God's will on Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, at 1:51 p.m. at Johnston Willis Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

Barbara was the granddaughter of the late Deacon Irvin Watson and Mehetta B. Knott Surley, and the late James Albert and Matilda Brown Vaughan.

Affectionately known to her grandchildren as "Nana," she worked very hard creating a loving home environment for them to learn and to grow. She loved her grandchildren and would do whatever it took to care and provide for them.

Barbara was educated in the Chesterfield County Public School System and was a proud and loyal member of the 1960 graduating class of George Washington Carver High School. Following high school, she attended Virginia State College (University) studying computer and recreation. She was gainfully employed by Allied Chemical, where she retired after 38 years of dedicated service.

At an early age she confessed Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the Union Branch Baptist Church, where she was an active and supportive disciple for many years. Later in life she was moved by the Spirit of God to change her discipleship to unite with the Amazing Grace World Fellowship Church in Chesterfield, Va., under the pastorate of its founder, the Rev. Dr. Linwood W. Carroll Sr., where she served faithfully as church clerk and deaconess until God called her home.

On Aug. 31, 1963, Barbara was united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Edwin J. Clarke Sr. and thus became a union ordained by God that has lasted for close to 50 wonderful years. They were blessed with one son, Edwin J. Clarke Jr. (Brenda); three grandsons, Khalil, Benjamin and Kaylee; a sister, Delores Laverne Surley Hollins (Richard) of St. Louis; five aunts, Bernice Surley Trent, Rebecca Surley Branch (Auntie), Shirley Barksdale (William), Sheila Harris and Alice Virginia Surley, all of Chesterfield County, Va.; one uncle, James Vaughan (Josephine Trent Vaughan); one nephew, Clyde Pulliam; one niece, Joye Marie Hollis; one great-nephew, Treveon Hollins Johnson of St. Louis; one stepbrother, Russell Harris (Rosetta); four stepnieces, Therese, Venessa and Sandy Hollins, all of St. Louis, and Reny Tabb; one stepnephew, Russell Harris Jr.; many loving cousins, four devoted, Alice Whitlow, Benjamin Surley, Christine Clarke and Stuart Billups; devoted friends to include the Rev. Dr. Linwood and Deaconess Brenda Carroll, and Deacon Charles and Deaconess Gloria P. Fisher, and Michelle Dickens; two sisters-in-law, Jean and Vivian Clarke; other nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.

A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at Union Branch Baptist Church, 11521 River Road, Chesterfield, Va.; the Rev. Dr. Gregory Howard, pastor, and the Rev. Dr. Linwood W. Carroll Sr., pastor of Amazing Grace World Fellowship Church, Chesterfield, officiating. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Chester, Va..

The family will receive friends at the residence and may be contacted by calling (804) 748-2024.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Clarke online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.